Legislature names Cleveland freeway for former governor

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Ohio Legislature is honoring a former Ohio governor by designating a freeway connecting downtown Cleveland and a western suburb as Richard F. Celeste Shoreway.

The legislation to rename the highway was sponsored by two Lakewood Democrats, State Rep. Nickie Antonio and State Sen. Michael Skindell. The freeway connects Cleveland with Lakewood and has long been known as the West Shoreway. Officially, it’s State Route 2.

Antonio says in a statement that renaming the freeway honors Celeste and his family’s legacy of public service.

Celeste served two terms as governor from 1983 to 1991. Celeste’s father, Frank, was mayor of Lakewood and his brother, Ted, was a state representative.

Celeste was ambassador to India from 1997 to 2001 and served as a college president in Colorado before retiring.